Taking Me Away

Chapter 8: Fragile Thoughts

“I?” He gave a bitter laugh.

“I… am the Prince of the FireKingdom.” He answered, his eyes fixed on me, the endless depths drawing me in.

My fingers loosened and I dropped the book, creating a muffled sound against the carpet. Bending down, I picked it up and dusted it.

“Why were they looking for you?”

“I don’t know.”

“But you suspect something?” I pressed on, seeing it in his eyes.

His eyes dropped down for a second. “Can I see your pendant?”

Curious, I nodded and unclasp the chain, handing it to him. He held it in his hands, running a finger over the engraved word which was my name, before studying the teardrop. Leaning closer, I too looked at it.

Right now, it was calm and not moving at all. I took hold of it and tipped it upside down but the water did not rush down. I let go of it, feeling something grip my heart. The water did not follow the laws of gravity. Heck, it wasn’t even considered logical in this world…

“Your grandmother gave this to you?” Arden asked.

“Yes. That’s what my mother told me.” I swallowed, thoughts of my parents immediately flooding me.

“Have you ever thought that your parents might have lied to you?” I bit my lip, confused.

“I don’t know.”

“Have you ever seen anything like this in this world? Do you think that this is normal?” His voice was soft, yet cautious.

“How would I know? I spent my life in that house. Of course I would believe it if my mother said that the pendant was my grandmother’s.” I clenched my fist, feeling something alight inside of me.

Anger… a feeling that had eluded me for so long. I knew now.

“I know…” His long arms reached out to me, bringing the necklace to my neck. His fingers held the necklace’s chain, his arms winding around my neck. I flushed, looking down, the anger momentarily forgotten. For a ridiculous moment, I thought that he was going to embrace me. Then his hands withdrew, and my pendant was lying on my chest again.

Clearing my throat, I asked him, almost helplessly. “So what do we do now?”

His eyes studied me, roaming over my face as if memorizing it. I flushed again but stared back firmly.

“You have to leave.” My lips parted. I was shocked by his words.

“Leave?” Incredulous.

“Yes.”

“No.” I felt the anger again. How could he ask me to leave?

“You must.”

“No. I won’t. Why? Why should I leave? Is it because of this?” My voice rose. I pulled the chain of my necklace up.

“Partly.” He said.

“Why? If I did not guess wrong, this pendant could be from your world, which also means I could be from that world too. If that’s the case, why should I leave? Maybe I should go to your world.” My tone had taken a sarcastic turn.

“I don’t want you to get hurt.” He mumbled.

“What did you say?” Did I hear wrongly?

“What if you’re not from that world? Do you know that people from this world are not supposed to know of Eilimintí?”

“Excuses.” I sounded cold, even to myself.

“There’s no use saying anything. Tomorrow, you will leave. I will arrange your living quarters.” He stood up and suddenly, I could see his aura again. I flinched when I saw the sparks flare.

“I don’t want to.” I know I sounded like a wilful child, with the exception of the quiver in my voice.

“You leave tomorrow.” He said firmly, striding over to the door and opening it.

I stood, stunned. Only when Charles hurried in to bring me back to my room then I realised Arden was gone. The whole way back to my room was spent in a daze.

Charles closed the door after I went in. At once, I collapsed onto the ground, feeling my knees gave way. Feeling two trails of wetness down my cheeks, I touched one cheek, my eyes widening when I realised I was crying. I swiped at them fiercely, but I could not stop them overflowing from my eyes.

Why was I feeling so… sad?

I touched the ring Arden gave me. It was still as brilliant as ever, the blood red filling my vision. A sob escaped me and I dropped my hand. Standing up shakily and walking to the bed, I fell on it and curled myself up. My tears met the bed sheet, darkening it.

I cried for a little while more before the tears stopped. I opened my eyes and stared at the wet spots on my bed, feeling my eyes sting from the crying. I smiled humourlessly. Even back at that house, I rarely cried. Who was he to make me cry?

My eyes drooped and I shifted to find a better position, before weariness overtake me and I fell asleep, hoping that when I open my eyes, today had never happened.